East Central University scored the final five points of overtime to outlast Arkansas Tech University 90-86 in Great American Conference men’s basketball at the Kerr Activities Center in Ada, Okla., on Thursday night.
The Tigers (1-0 overall, 1-0 GAC) took the lead for good at 87-86 on a Brett Cannon layup with 1:24 left in overtime. Camron Talley connected on 1-of-2 free throws for ECU with 10.1 seconds left and then made a steal with 1.5 seconds left. Marcus Lytle was fouled after Talley’s steal and made 2-of-2 free throws to set the final score.
Arkansas Tech (2-1, 0-1) had forced overtime on a 3-pointer by Harris Brown with 18.5 seconds left in regulation. The two sides went to the extra period tied 77-77.
Cannon finished with a game-high 23 points for the Tigers.
Brown and R.J. Glasper led the Wonder Boys in scoring with 16 points apiece.
ECU out-rebounded Arkansas Tech 50-40, and the Tigers shot 50 percent (33-of-66) from the field.
The first half saw five ties and three lead changes. A 7-0 spurt by East Central late in the half helped the Tigers build a 40-38 halftime edge despite the fact that Tech outscored ECU 11-1 in points off turnovers during the first 20 minutes.
The Wonder Boys will visit Southeastern Oklahoma State University for a 3 p.m. GAC contest in Durant, Okla., on Saturday, Nov. 18.
Radio station KCJC 102.3 FM and www.arkansastechsports.com will have live coverage.